Combination dental plugger.



No. 848,334.1 PATEN'IED MAR. 2B, 1907. P. E. WILLIAMS.

COMBINATION DENTAL PLUGGER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNBQ. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Percy fari Woz,/1LS

' M Wfl/L,

wi incase:

No. 848,334. PATBNTEDMAB.. 26, 1907. P. E. WILLIAMS. COMBINATION DENTALPLUGGER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE9. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WWA

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE COMBINATION DENTAL PLUGGER.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

atented March 26, 1907.

Application filed June 9. 1905. Serial No. 264,534.

To wl?, whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, PERCY EARL WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Savannah, Chatham county, State of Georgia, have inventedcertain new and useful 1mprovements in Combination Dental Pluggers .andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. f

This invention relates to certain improvements in dentalpluggers, andrelates more particularly to a combination dental plugger.

An objectl of Fthe invention is to produce a single dental pluggercapable of use as a power or engine operated plugger, a handoperatedplugger, and a hand-pressure plugger, and which Shall be comparativelysimple and durable in construction and veasily handled and operated asany one ofthe abovenamed instruments.

A further object 0f the invention is to provide a power or engineoperated plugger embodying a hand-operated plugger and capable of readyadjustment or adaptability to operation or use as'either a hand-operatedor power-operated plugger.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements inarrangements of elements and in construction of parts and detailswhereby a highly efficient and advantageous improved dental plugger willbe produced.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction andarrangements of p arts, as more fully and particularly describedhereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which show what I now considerthe preferred embodiment of my invention from among other constructionswithin the spirit and scope of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of the plugger, a portion ofthe iiexible driving-shaft being shownwith the plugger coupled thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section ofthe plugger and its powerdriven rotary actu ating-wheel, the pluggerbe'-Ing shown in adjustment .for operation as a power-plugger. F ig-l 3 is alongitudinal section of a portion of the plug er on a larger scale, theparts thereof being s own in adjustment for operation as a hand-operatedplugger. Fig. 4is alongitudinal section, enlarged, through the swivelconnection and rotary actuating-wheel, a portion of plugger beingspective View of certain detached parts o the or spindle and certainattached or coperating parts.

By my invention I provide in one plugger provisions for accomplishingthe operations and results of the enumerated three devices, and hence mydevice embodiesl a combination dental pluger. e

In the drawings, 1 is the exterior casing of the plugger.

2 indicates the longitudinal reciprocatory spindle or tool-stock, at itsouter end suitably formed to detachably receive any suitable bit,plugger, or tool 3. The spindle 2 is arranged longitudinally within andprojects beyond both ends of the casing 1. The outer plugger-to wit, thereciprocating tool-stock i end of the casing is internally threadedorotherwise formed to receive the end nipple or head 4, which is formedwith a longitudinal bore to loosely receive the spindle 2, and thehand-operatedv plugger expansive' spring 5, coiled thereon and arrangedto be compressed between the collar 6, rigidly secured on. the spindle,and the outer end of the sleeve 7, through which the spindle looselyextends. The sleeve 7 is clamped and held in the casing between theinternal annular shoulderS, formed in'the inner wall of the casing 1,and the inner end of the nip le 4, which engages an exterior annularshou der 9 intermediate the length ofthe sleeve 7. This sleeve 7 carriesthe projection which operates the trip controllingthe strlker or hammerthat impartsthe gblow to the spindle when the device is used as ahand-operated I loo IIO

spindle, and which isslidably located within Y t.

e enlarged end portion 15 of the bore of the tooth orfilling by hansleeve The inner end of the trip 12 is formed with a lateral head or toeprojecting outwardly through the spindle-slot 11 to engage the outer endof the hammer or striker 16, and the trip is normally yieldingly held byspring 17 with its said toe engaging the end wall of the hammer to holdthe same separated a distance from the collar 14 and to cause the hammerto move inwardly of the casing and with the spindle against the tensionof hammer-s pring 18. The hammer consists of a tubular bodylongitudinally and slidably arranged in the casing and through which thespindle loosely extends. The hammer-s ring 18 is coiled loosely aroundthe s ind e and abuts against lthe inner end of t Ve hammer and at itsinner end abuts against -a collar 19, through which the spindle looselypasses and which is held in place by the radial lugs 20, passing looselythrough longitudinal slots l21 inthe casing. The outer ends of' the lugs20 are toothed or -threaded to mesh with theinternal screw-threads of arotary adjusting nut or sleeve 22 on the exterior of the casing and heldagainst longitudinal movement. vBy rotating the nut 22 the collar 19will be longitudinally moved to tighten or loosen the spring 18 to varythe force of the blow imparted by the hammer 30 16. The parts are soarranged that when the tool 3 is forced with suiiicient pressure againstthe filling and the casin 1 is pressed toward the filling the casingwill move longie tudinally of the spindle a ainst the tension of spring5, the trip 12 wily hold the hammer against movement with the-casing,the collar 19 will compress spring 18 against the hammer and as themovement continues the projection 10 will move outwardly into engagementwith the free or outer end of the trip 12 and will rock the tri therebymoving its inner`end or toe. into tlie spindle-slot 11, releasing thehammer 16, which under the impulseyof spring 18 is then forciblyprojected into Aengagement with collar 14, im 'arting the blow to thespindle and tool 3. he operator then releases pressure on the casing,and the spring 5 returns the parts to their normal ositions, and thetrip again springs out at t e end of the hammer in readiness to repeatthe operation. ,j

The instrument when operated as thus far described erforms the functionsand operations of a and-operated plugger.

In order to permit the operation of the instrument as a hand-pressureplugger, I form an annular groove 23 in the collar 6, located in the endnipple 4 and provide a finger-operated device to project intoA saidgroove, and

thereby lock the spindle and casing together against independentlongitudinal movement. When the spindle and casing are thus lockedtogether, the tool3 can be ressed against the with the desired force, asis often desirable and necessary to 'tate or turn therein.

as hereinafter describe avoid breaking the enamel or for other purposes."Various devices can be employed for thus locking together the casingand spindle. For instance, show a plate-spring 24, ar-

,ranged longitudinally of the exterior of the nipple 4 and at one endsecured thereto, so that its opposite and free end tends to springoutwardly, The free end of the spring is provided with a flange orprojection 25, arranged in a radial hole through the nipple. The freeend of the' spring is also vprovided at its outer side with a finger cupor piece 26. The projection y,25 is arranged 1n the plane of the groove23 in collar 6 when said collar is in its normal position, with springdistended or inactive. normal position, inward pressure on theiinger-piece 26 will bend the spring and force the projection 25 intothe groove 23, and thereby lock together the spindle and casing. Therelease of pressure on the finger-piece 26 allows vthe spring to returnto its normal position, with the projection` 25 withdrawn from thegroove 23.

In carrying out other features of myfinvention I provide means for`reciprocatingthe spindle by power independently of and without operatinthe hammer or striker mechanism hereinbe ore described.

The inner end 27 of the casing is extended beyond the collar 19 ,and isexternally re- When the collar is in its said duced and is provided witha shoulder and with an intermediate external annular rib 28 between saidreduced portion and the slots 21., 29 is an end capv or head ittinloosely and longitudinally over the reduce end 27 of the casing andhaving an annular rib" 29. The outer end portion of this cap 29 isexternally screw-threaded to receive the coupling-sleeve 30, whichscrews thereon, and at its outer end loosely embraces', the, casing 1and the rib 28, with its inturned annular ange located between the rib28 and the nut 22. .The casing is thus loosely coupled to the end cap 29and is free to ro- A hard-metal plug 31 is screwed into the outer end ofthe ca 29 and has a longitudinal ope g through w ich the spindle snuglypasses a d in which it reciprocates. This vplug forms the guide-bearingfor the outer end of the spindle.- Y

32 indicates a rigid arm fixed to and projecting longitudinally from theend cap 29. 33 indicates a transverse shaft carried by and projectinglaterally from said arm and constituting the axis of the swivel-jointbetween the driving connection and the instrument and also the axfs forthe actuating-wheel for the spindle. 34 indicates the actuating-wheelmounted on said shaft 33. This wheel is formed with the peripheralgroove 35 formed IOO" to receive the projecting end of the spindle 2,'

Said wheel is also formed with the cam or projection 36 arranged acrosssaid groove and extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the wheel toengage the end of the spindle 2 as the wheel revolves, and therebyIlongitudinall3T move said spindle.

,AS a means which can be employed for rotating the wheel I showbevel-gearing 37, actuated by4 a shaft-section in coupling-sleeve 38,'detachably receiving flexible shaft 39 from any suitable motor. Thissleeve 38 forms part of a fork comprising rigid arms 40,

at their free ends mounted and confined on the end portions of the shaft33, so that said shaft is free to rock in said arms, thereby forming theswivelfjoint or connection between the instrument and the drivingconnection.

41 indicates an annular guard plate or ring extending completely aroundand inclosing the periphery of the wheel 34 and having projectin ends 42rigidly secured to the end cap 29. his guard is in width equal to thethickness of the wheel, and it affords com- .plete protection againstnapkins or other articles catching in the wheel. I arran e an end cap 43on and projecting beyon the louter end nipple 4, and the spindle passesloosely through the outer end of this cap.

44 indicates 'an expansive spring coiled around the spindle and arrangedbetween the collar 6 and the end wall of cap 43. This spring 44 is soarranged with respect to spring 5 that when .the spindle is in its nor'mal position with the spring 5 inactive the spring 44 will also beinactive, as shown in Fig. 2, and the spindle will be so located thatthe projection 36 of wheel 34 will just clear the inner projecting endof the spindle. When in this position, the spring 44 holds the spindleinwardly, so that the spindle is vir- `tuallybalanced between thesprings 5 and 44,

and the collar 14 is held hack a su'llicient distance from the frontwall of enlarged portion 15 ofthe sleeve 7 to permit the desiredreciprocation of the spindleunder the impact of the projection 36. Togive the operator convement control ofthe spindle for the purpose ofmoving the same into the path of the projection 36 of theactuating-wheel, I arrange a finger-hold 45 on the outer or front endof50l the spindle. `This finger-hold 45 can be formed by a beveled Amillednut screwed on the end of the spindle about as shown.

Vhen the instrument'is to be used as a quently the spindle will be veryrapidly moved I longitudinally as the spindle is held yieldingly withits end in the path of the striking projection of the wheel by thepressure of the operators lingers on the finger-hold 45. When theinstrument is thus 1n use as a power-operated plugger, the spring 5 isractically inoperative, and the hammer an trip devices are out ofaction.

When the instrument is to be used as a hand-operated plugger, theactuating-wheel 34 is at rest and the spindle when forced back to tripthe hammer projects into the groove 35 in'the wheel, said groove beingthus provided to receive the rear end of the spindle when forced back toits full stroke. It will be understood. thatwhen the instrument isoperated as a hand-operated plugger the spindle is forced back in thecasing a distance beyond the position it assumes when the instrumentoperates asa power-operated plugger. A

To permit free axiallmovement of the instrument in the end head 29, Iprefer to hold the nut 22 from engagement with the coupling-sleeve 30,which holds the casing and end head longitudinally together. Hence Iprovide the` casingl with an external vannular shoulder 46, againstwhich the inner end of the nut 22 -is held by the pressure of the 95hammer-spring 18. This shoulder 46 holds the nut 22 from engagement withthecoupling-sleeve 30, and consequently avoids undue friction at thejoint between the casing and end head. The spring 18 holds the nut 22against longitudinal movement with the collar 19 whenthe nut is rotatedto adjust the tension of the spring 18, 1

WhatI claim is- 1. A dental plugger comprising in its construction, a'casing having a side opening through its front end portion, alongitudinally-movable tool-holder in the casing, a coiled spring in thecasing acting on said holder to force the same to its limit of outwardmovement, a circumferentially-grooved collar on said holder with itsgroove normally. opposite said opening, a finger-piece at the exteriorof the casing having an inwardlyextending locking projection adapted toproject through the opening into said groove to ook the casing andholder against independent longitudinal movement, and a spring normallyholding said linger-piece and projection outwardly from lockingposition.

2. A dental plugger comprising in its con-` struction, a casing, alongitudinally-movabletool-holder arranged within the casing, opposingsprings within the casing and both acting on said holder to yieldinglymaintain the same in normal position, and means for locking the casingand holder 'against independent longitudinal movement comprisinga`finger-piece at the exterior of the casing having aninwardly-extending'locking pro- IOC IOS

rocatory tool-holder arranged longitudinally within said casing, aspring within said nipple and acting on said holder to yieldingly pressthe same forwardly, an opposing spring 1n.l

said cap and acting on said holder to yieldingly press the samerearwardly, and a holder operating hammer, substantially as described.

4. A dental plugger, comprising in its construction, a casing, a sleeve7, therein, an ad` justable pin 10, extending through the sleeve andprojecting into the interior thereof, a reciprocatory tool-holderlongitudinally arranged in the casing and passing through said sleeve, aspring-pressed reciprocatory hammer in said casing and on said holder,said holder having an anvil to be engaged by said hammer, and a tricarried'by said holder to set and release sai hammer, said trip adaptedto be engaged and rocked by the inner end of said pin, substantially asdescribed.

5. A dental plugger comprising in its construction, a casing, aspring-held tool-holder in the casing andhaving a variable longitudinalmovement therein, a rotary power-actuated hammer for acting on saidholder when the same is in one position, a spring-hammer and tripmechanism within the casing and acting on said holder when the same 1s1n another longitudinal position, and a finger-actuated lock operativefrom the exterior of the casing and adapted to lock said holder, when inits normal position, against longitudinal 'movement with respect to thecasing:

6. A dental plugger comprising in its construction, a casing, aspring-held tool-holder inlthe casing and having a variable longitudinalmovement therein, a rotary power-actuated hammer for acting` on saidholder e when the same is in one position within its longitudinal rangeof longitudinal movement, a springhammer and trip mechanism within thecasingand acting on said holder when thesame .is in another longitudinalposition, rand al spring within said casing and acting on said holder toyieldingly hold the same in its normal position and out of operativeposition with respect to said hammer mechanisms, substantially asdescribed.

7. dental plugger comprising in its construction, a casing, a rotarypower-actuated hammer arranged at the rear end thereof and comprising arotary wheel having an annular circumferential'groove and a strikingproj ection, `a reciprocatory tool-holder extending y through the casingand having a limited range of lrearward movement to b ring its re ar endinto operative position with respect to said striking projection, andhaving an extended range of rearward movement with its rear end extendedrearwardly intosaid groove and beyond operative relation to saidstriking projection, a spring in the casing. and acting onV said holderto 'eldingly `hold the same outwardly beyon said` extended range ofrearward movement, and a trip and spring-hammer mechanism ,within thecasing and acting on said holder when in its extended range of rearwardmovement.

8. A dental plugger comprising in its construction, a casing, a.reciprocatory toolholder arranged longitudinal y of the casing andhaving a variable longitudinal movement therein, a rotary power-actuatedhammer for operatively acting on said holder when the same is in onelongitudinal position, and a spring-hammer and trip mechanism arrangedwithin the casing and acting on said holder when the same is in anotherlongitudinal position with respect to the casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

PERCY EARL WILLIAMS.

Witnesses: f

M. L. Coors, J HUBERT E. PEcK.

